Helioart, a variable shape toy

ABSTRACT

HelioArt, a variable shape toy, is a device which allows segments of material to be combined about a positional axis, and those segments can be manipulated to various positions to form a helix or any other pattern or shape. This produces a visually pleasing effect. This device allows the user to rotate segments around an axis, as well as order the segments along the axis according to length of segment in a random or sequential manner. In addition, the device can be internally or externally illuminated to further enhance the visually pleasing effect.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This document concerns an invention relating generally to devices which about a positional axis, segments can be manipulated to various positions that form a helix or any other pattern or shape, and more specifically toys which allow user manipulation to create visually pleasing effects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are currently no devices on the market which allow the user to manipulate both the rotational segments around and axis, as well as order those segments along an axis to produce different visual effects. This toy allows the user an almost infinite number of options to produce kinetic art and change the visual effect at will. Segments can be produced in any shape, however an oblong shape can produce a helix or spiral shape when positioned and combined about an axis. In addition, an internal or external illumination source can be added to further enhance the visually pleasing effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention involves HelioArt, a variable shape toy. To give the reader a basic understanding of some of the advantageous features of the invention, following is a brief summary or preferred versions of the variable shape toy. As this is merely a summary, it should be understood that more details regarding the preferred versions may be found in the Detailed Description set forth elsewhere in this document. The claims set forth at the end of this document then define the various versions of the invention in which exclusive rights are secured.

Looking to the accompanying FIGS. 1 and 5 for an exemplary version of the HelioArt, a variable shape toy, by combining segments 1 of material about a positional axis 2, segments 1 can be manipulated to various positions that form a helix or any other pattern or shape. This produces a visually pleasing effect. By manipulating segments 1 for both rotational and ordered along a common axis 2, the device may produce complex visual kinetic art.

The segments 1 are preferably shaped as oblong, where the length of the segment 1 is longer than the width. Since segments 1 are stacked upon each other, it is desired to have the thickness of the segments 1 less than the length. The segments 1 can be the same length, or varying lengths. If varying lengths are used, they may be randomly or sequentially ordered along the axis 2. Segments may be slightly offset from each other in rotational position about the axis 2 to form a helix, spiral or any other shape. The segments 1 have at least one void to accept the axis 2. This void to accept the axis 2 is preferably circular in shape. Additional voids of any shape can be manufactured within each segment to accept illumination devices which may include fiber optic or electroluminescent wire.

The axis 2 may be any length, and may be made from any material, but preferably in the form of an acrylic or nylon rod which may be threaded. Wire or similar materials may be braided together for form a axis 2 about which the segments 1 are ordered. The function of the axis 2 is to provide a pivot point from which the segments 1 can rotate. The axis 2 also provides a common point to which all the segments 1 may be attached. If the axis 2 material is flexible, the unit is preferably supported from the top.

On each end of the axis 2 will be a tensioning device 4 or base 3. The function of the these is to restrain the segments 1 from movement. In the preferred version of the toy, the base 3 has the axis 2 fixed into place, while the tensioning device 4 allows placement, ordering, or repositioning of the segments 1. The base may be of any material, but translucent material is preferred for illuminating the toy from the bottom.

Since the variable shape toy does use a common axis 2, the toy is modular and may be expanded by connecting additional axis 2 to either end of the toy.

Further advantages, features, and objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1. is a fragmentary side elevation and cross section of the toy;

FIG. 2. is a top view of the toy;

FIG. 3. is a top view of a segment of the variable shape toy;

FIG. 4. is a side elevation and cross section of a segment of the toy;

FIG. 5. is a perspective view of the side elevation of the toy in a kinetic state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the variable shape toy device of this invention includes a base 3, a series of segments part 1, an axis part 2, and a tensioning device part 4. The segments part 1 are randomly or sequentially ordered about the axis part 2, and can be rotated about that axis part 2 in a fashion to produce a helix, spiral or other visually pleasing effect.

Although the preferred material of the base 3 is made of clear or colored acrylic, other materials useful in the making of the base 3 include glass, nylon, plastic, wood and metal. The base 3 may be completely removed in order to connect the axis 2 of other HelioArt to make one larger combined unit. Doing this, the HelioArt can be expanded to any length.

The axis 2 can be any material or shape as long as the segments 1 can be positioned about the axis. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the axis 2 would be an elongated cylinder, rod, or cable. The bottom of the axis 2 is connected to the base part 3, and fixed on the top of the axis by a tensioning device part 4.

Although the preferred material of the axis 2 are made of threaded rod of acrylic, other materials useful in the making of the axis 2 include nylon, plastic, wood and metal. In addition, the axis 2 can also be made of a combination of materials, woven together such as fiber optic strands, electroluminescent wire, or other illuminating materials along with the materials listed above.

The axis 2 can be of any length, or combined with another axis of another HelioArt to allow the modular extension of several units into one larger unit.

As shown in FIG. 3, the segment 1 has a void to accept the axis 2 around which the segment can freely rotate when not tensioned by part 4. This void can be positioned anywhere along the segment, but preferably equidistant from either side of the segment 1. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the segment 1 with the void for the axis 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the top view of variable shape toy shows the axis 2 and the segments 1 in a rotated manner about the axis. The segments part 1 can be rotated to any position around the axis 2, and stacked about the length of the axis in any random or sequential order to achieve a visual effect.

Although the preferred segments 1 of the invention are made of clear or colored acrylic, other materials useful in making the segments 1 include plastic, wood, glass and metal.

For the purpose of the present invention, the segments 1 can be any oblong shape and can have addition voids made to accept illumination material including fiber optic or electroluminescent wire. The segments 1 can be of any length, width or thickness.

In operation of the HelioArt show in FIG. 5, segments 1 are rotated about the axis 2 and can be stacked randomly or sequentially to produce a kinetic art form, which is visually pleasing. To achieve this, the tensioning device 4 can be de-tensioned and removed to allow re-stacking of the segments 1, or can be de-tensioned to allow the segments 1 to freely rotate into a desired position. Re-tensioned, the tensioning device 4 will hold the desired segments 1 in position for viewing. 

1. A variable shape toy device for combining layers of material about a positioning axis that form a pattern, consisting essentially of: (a) a positional axis; (b) may include one or more segments with a central void for the axis; and (c) a tensioning device on either end of the axis; wherein: (1) the segments may be arrayed together in face-to-face abutting relationship to form a stacked array of segments wherein abutting segments have their voids coaxially aligned along the axis.
 2. A variable shape toy device of claim 1 which is comprised of a linear or angular positioning axis.
 3. A variable shape toy device which is comprised of a plurality of layers to generate a visual effect.
 4. A variable shape toy device of claim 2 comprising of a positioning axis which may include: (a) rigid, or semi-rigid material; (b) translucent or pigmented material; (c) a combination of flexible lighted material; (d) fiber optic material.
 5. A variable shape toy device of claim 1 consisting of segments of the same or varying length.
 6. A variable shape toy device of claim 1 consisting of segments of the same or varying thickness.
 7. A variable shape toy device of claim 1 consisting of segments of any shape: (a) length is longer than width.
 8. A variable shape toy device of claim 1 consisting of segments which may include within that segment: (a) one or more voids for a positioning axis along any point of segment; (b) voids in any shape to accommodate energized power conduit along any point of segment; (c) voids in any shape to accommodate energized or non-energized lighting conduit along any part of segment.
 9. A variable shape toy device of claim 1 consisting of segments which may be comprised of: (a) translucent material; (b) pigmented material.
 10. A A variable shape toy device of claim 1 consisting of tensioning devices on either end of the axis which allow user to tighten or loosen segments along axis.
 11. A variable shape toy device of claim 1 consisting essentially of layers about a positional axis from which users may: (a) stack randomly or sequentially according to segment size; (b) rotate about the axis in a random or sequential manner; (c) offset each layer around the axis to form a helix.
 12. A variable shape toy device of claim 1 which consists of a positional axis that may be attached to one or more axis for modular assembly. 